Paris 2024: Botswana President declares public holiday for Letsile Tebogo following historic Olympic feat

Letsile Tebogo is the first African to win the 200m gold - Credit - @gettyimages

Paris 2024: Botswana President declares public holiday for Letsile Tebogo following historic Olympic feat

Funmilayo Fameso 10:44 - 09.08.2024

The President of Botswana has honoured Letsile Tebogo's Paris 2024 Olympic exploits by declaring a public afternoon day off for its citizens.

The President of Botswana Dr. Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi has declared a public holiday in the country following the Olympic exploits of new speed king Letsile Tebogo at Paris 2024.

The 21-year-old speedster stunned pre-race favourite Noah Lyles to the Olympic 200m title in a blazing new African Record (AR) of 19.46s, as American Kenny Bednarek won the silver medal in 19.62s and his compatriot settled for the bronze medal in 19.70s.

With his victory, Tebogo became the first man from Africa to win an Olympic 200m title and a gold medal for his country at the Games, thus cementing his name as the greatest African sprinter to run the event in history.

In honour of his historic feat, the Botswanan President made a press release announcing a free afternoon day in the country.

Letsile Tebogo surpassed expectations to win the Olympic 200m title

“His Excellency, Dr. Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi, President of the Republic of Botswana, hereby declares to the nation, that he has found it a fitting tribute to Mr. Letsile Tebogo, ‘Botswana’s Sensation’, to grant Batswana and residents an afternoon day-off, on this very day, Friday the 9th August, 2024,” the statement read.

“The decision has been duly made to recognise and honour Letsile Tebogo as the first Motswana and first African to win a Gold Medal for 200m in the history of the Olympics.

“Furthermore, the President underscores, recognises and acknowledges Letsile’s performance and achievement as markedly outstanding, and deserving of the nation to pause and celebrate him in a most unique, appropriate and responsible manner, that will be etched in the annals of the history of the Republic.”

Tebogo is now the first African sprinter in history to win a 100m medal (silver) at the world championships (acoomplished this in Budapest last year) and an Olympic gold medal in any sprint event.

He'll be gunning for another medal in the men's 4x400m event, where he'll play a vital role in the relay squad.

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